Analyses of factors affecting dry matter intake of lactating dairy cows

An experiment was conducted to analyze feed, climate and animal factors affecting dry matter intake (DMI) in lactating dairy cows. Sixteen lactating Holstein cows, with parity from 1 to 6, were assigned to a feeding trial for 2 years, comprising 31 lactations. The animals were fed Italian ryegrass silage, oat hay, alfalfa hay, beet pulp and three types of concentrate. The data, pooled and classified by stage of lactation, season of lactation and parity were analyzed by stepwise multiple regression to determine the nature and extent of factors affecting DMI. A total of 45 prediction equations for DMI were derived. Energy‐corrected milk yield or milk yield was selected as the primary factor of DMI in all the equations in which the ratio of contribution (R²) varied from 0.26 to 0.67. The dietary concentration of organic cell wall, crude fiber, crude protein, organic b fraction, forage to concentrate ratio, average ambient temperature and temperature–humidity index were selected as the secondary factors affecting DMI for pooled data, late lactation (251–350 days of lactation), summer (June–August), spring (March–May), ≥4th lactation, autumn (September–November) and 3rd lactation, respectively, and improved R² up to 0.77. Except for an impact of bodyweight in several equations, feed and climatic factors significantly improved prediction equations effectively for data classified in different ways. To estimate DMI accurately in lactating dairy cows, feed and climatic factors should be considered for specific conditions.     

Evaluation of limb autotomy as a promising strategy to improve production performances of mud crab (Scylla olivacea) in the soft‐shell farming system

Soft‐shell crab, a newly moulted crab having non‐calcified and hydrated soft exoskeleton, farming has been increasing tremendously in recent years throughout the world due to its high market price and consumer preferences. However, high aggressiveness and cannibalistic behaviour of mud crab limit its culture to an individual chamber system which ultimately makes the soft‐shell mud crab farming space and labour‐intensive. Therefore, the aim of this study was to improve the efficiency of soft‐shell crab production by autotomy of the claw and/or walking legs to reduce the moulting duration and intensify the culture system through double stocking in the existing individual chamber culture system. To achieve our objectives, a series of experiment were conducted at both indoor and on‐farm levels by removing the claw and/or walking legs of Scylla olivacea for two consecutive moulting cycles. Results showed that both claw ablation significantly (p < .01) shortened the moulting duration and increased the carapace width, weight gain, specific growth rate, feeding efficiency and yield parameter compared to the non‐ablated crabs more prominently at 1st moulting than the 2nd moulting in both indoor and on‐farm trials. Ablation of all walking legs while keeping the claw intact did not significantly influence (p > .05) the moulting duration and carapace width, but significantly (p < .01) improved the specific growth rate, weight gain, feeding efficiency and yield parameters at 1st moulting compared to the non‐ablation and unilateral three walking leg ablation groups. However, ablation of all appendages (both claw and walking legs) showed significant (p < .01) improvements of carapace width, weight gain, specific growth rate, feeding efficiency and yield parameters, and shortened the moulting duration up to 23 days from 34 days during 1st moulting and up to 27 days from 40 days at 2nd moulting. The survivals of different autotomized mud crabs were statistically non‐significant (p > .05) to the non‐autotomized crabs in various indoor and on‐farm trials. Besides improving the production performances, ablation of bilateral claw and all appendages allowed to double the stocking density in the existing individual chamber‐based soft‐shell crab farming that enhanced the production about threefold higher than the existing individual chamber‐based culture system. Finally, our results suggest that autotomy could be a promising technology for the commercial farming of soft‐shell mud crab in near future.     

Exogenous xylanase improves growth,protein digestibility and digestive enzymes activities in Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus,fed different ratios of fish meal to sunflower meal

A 3 × 2 factorial experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of different ratios of fish meal (FM): sunflower meal (SFM) with or without exogenous xylanase supplementation on growth, feed utilization, digestive enzymes activities, apparent digestibility, intestinal and liver morphology and chemical composition of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Three isonitrogenous (329.80 g/kg of crude protein) and isoenergetic (18.46 MJ/kg gross energy) experimental diets were formulated as SFM₁ (FM:SFM = 2:1), SFM₂ (FM:SFM = 1:1) and SFM₃ (FM:SFM = 1:2) based on protein content. Each diet was supplemented with 0 or 0.5 g/kg of exogenous xylanase and was fed to triplicate groups of twelve fish (with initial weight, 1.31 ± 0.02 g) for 84 days. After 84 days of feeding period, the highest weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency, protein productive value and the best feed conversion ratio were recorded in fish fed either SFM₁ or SFM₂ supplemented with exogenous xylanase. Whereas lowest growth performance was recorded in fish fed SFM₂ and SFM₃ un‐supplemented with xylanase. The highest activities of chymotrypsin, trypsin, lipase, amylase, alkaline phosphatase and cholecystokinin were observed in fish fed SFM₁ and SFM₂ diets supplemented with xylanase. The highest ADCs of dry matter, protein, lipid and digestible energy were recorded in fish fed SFM₁ and SFM₂ diets supplemented with exogenous xylanase. Supplementation of exogenous xylanase improved muscularis mucosa thickness, height of mucosal folds and enterocytes of intestinal fish. Addition of exogenous xylanase increased the calcium and phosphorus retention. Results of this study indicated that the addition of exogenous xylanase to diet containing high inclusion level of sunflower meal improved growth, digestive enzymes, nutrient digestibility, histological morphometric of liver and intestine and nutrient retention.     

Livelihood Improvements Through Agroforestry: Evidence from Northern Bangladesh

Agroforestry is one of the most sustainable land management systems practiced around the world due to the socioeconomic benefits that it brings to farmers. In Bangladesh, farmers practice agroforestry, applying indigenous knowledge. The present study was designed to identify the present status, management practices and its role in improving the livelihoods of farmers in northern Bangladesh. Data for the study were collected through quantitative and qualitative methods. A total of 29 tree and 38 agricultural crop species were planted by the102 farmers interviewed. Mangifera indica (relative prevalence 49%) is the most predominant species, followed by Eucalyptus camaldulensis (relative prevalence 35.4%). Farmers of northern Bangladesh plant trees in cropland for fruits (90%), fuel wood (87%) and timber production (79%). Fruit trees were planted with wider spacing while forest and fuel wood species were planted with narrower spacing. Farmer’s livelihoods improved enormously by practicing agroforestry as they have more access to food, fodder and fuel wood which is reflected by greater access to livelihood capitals (except social capital). However, farmers have experienced increased incidences of pests and diseases to the annual crops and trees. Agroforestry practices increases species diversity, ensure economic return and sustain farmer’s livelihoods.     

Broadening the genetic base of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> canola by interspecific crosses with different variants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">B. oleracea</Emphasis>

Broadening the genetic base of the C genome of Brassica napus canola by use of B. oleracea is important. In this study, the prospect of developing B. napus canola lines from B. napus?×?B. oleracea var. alboglabra, botrytis, italica and capitata crosses and the effect of backcrossing the F₁’s to B. napus were investigated. The efficiency of the production of the F₁’s varied depending on the B. oleracea variant used in the cross. Fertility of the F₁ plants was low—produced, on average, about 0.7 F₂ seeds per self-pollination and similar number of BC₁ seeds on backcrossing to B. napus. The F₃ population showed greater fertility than the BC₁F₂; however, this difference diminished with the advancement of generation. The advanced generation populations, whether derived from F₂ or BC₁, showed similar fertility and produced similar size silique with similar number of seeds per silique. Progeny of all F₁’s and BC₁’s stabilized into B. napus, although B. oleracea plant was expected, especially in the progeny of F₁ (ACC) owing to elimination of the A chromosomes during meiosis. Segregation distortion for erucic acid alleles occurred in both F₂ and BC₁ resulting significantly fewer zero-erucic plants than expected; however, plants with?≤?15% erucic acid frequently yielded zero-erucic progeny. No consistent correlation between parent and progeny generation was found for seed glucosinolate content; however, selection for this trait was effective and B. napus canola lines were obtained from all crosses. Silique length showed positive correlation with seed set; the advanced generation populations, whether derived from F₂ or BC₁, were similar for these traits. SSR marker analysis showed that genetically diverse canola lines can be developed by using different variants of B. oleracea in B. napus?×?B. oleracea interspecific crosses.     

乙烯与1-MCP处理对伯谢克辛甜瓜采后生理品质的影响

【目的】 研究乙烯与1-MCP处理在7℃冷藏条件下对伯谢克辛甜瓜采后生理品质的影响,为甜瓜采后贮藏保鲜提供理论依据。【方法】 以伯谢克辛甜瓜为原料,分别采用500 mg/L的乙烯和2 μL/L 1-MCP对甜瓜进行处理,每隔24 h测定甜瓜果实硬度、呼吸强度、细胞膜渗透率、可溶性固形物、可溶性糖、还原糖、VC、可滴定酸等品质指标。【结果】 与CK相比,1-MCP可以明显降低甜瓜果实呼吸强度、细胞膜渗透率,保持甜瓜果实硬度,抑制可溶性固形物、还原糖、总糖、可滴定酸、VC含量下降,乙烯处理降低果实硬度,促进果实中可溶性固形物、糖、酸含量和VC含量的下降。【结论】 伯谢克辛甜瓜为乙烯敏感性果实,1-MCP处理能够抑制甜瓜采后呼吸作用,减缓甜瓜果实营养物质的流失,较好的保持甜瓜品质,乙烯处理提高了甜瓜的呼吸强度和细胞膜透性,降低果实硬度,加速了果实采后品质劣变及软化衰老进程。     

分子印迹固相萃取-高效液相色谱法测定牛奶中四环素类抗生素残留

采用分子印迹技术合成四环素类分子印迹聚合物,以其为填料制备固相萃取柱,运用高效液相色谱法测定牛奶中的四环素类抗生素。具体地,以盐酸强力霉素为模板分子、甲基丙烯酸为功能单体、乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯为交联剂,采用沉淀聚合法在丙酮-乙腈混合溶液中制备具有特异性吸附能力的分子印迹聚合物,通过高效液相色谱仪检测其吸附四环素类抗生素的能力,并将其作为填料制备固相萃取柱,用于牛奶中四环素类抗生素残留检测。结果显示,四环素类抗生素在0.05~10.0 μg·mL^-1范围内线性良好,加标回收率为79.4%~86.3%,相对标准偏差均小于3.8%,准确性较好。四环素和土霉素的检出限为0.02 μg·mL^-1,金霉素的检出限为0.05 μg·mL^-1,检测灵敏度高,特异性识别能力强。     

An Overview of the Medical Applications of Marine Skeletal Matrix Proteins

In recent years, the medicinal potential of marine organisms has attracted increasing attention. This is due to their immense diversity and adaptation to unique ecological niches that has led to vast physiological and biochemical diversification. Among these organisms, marine calcifiers are an abundant source of novel proteins and chemical entities that can be used for drug discovery. Studies of the skeletal organic matrix proteins of marine calcifiers have focused on biomedical applications such as the identification of growth inducing proteins that can be used for bone regeneration, for example, 2/4 bone morphogenic proteins (BMP). Although a few reports on the functions of proteins derived from marine calcifiers can be found in the literature, marine calcifiers themselves remain an untapped source of proteins for the development of innovative pharmaceuticals. Following an overview of the current knowledge of skeletal organic matrix proteins from marine calcifiers, this review will focus on various aspects of marine skeletal protein research including sources, biosynthesis, structures, and possible strategies for chemical or physical modification. Special attention will be given to potential medical applications and recent discoveries of skeletal proteins and polysaccharides with biologically appealing characteristics. In addition, I will introduce an effective protocol for sample preparation and protein purification that includes isolation technology for biopolymers (of both soluble and insoluble organic matrices) from coralline algae. These algae are a widespread but poorly studied group of shallow marine calcifiers that have great potential for marine drug discovery.     

6个桃新品种引进种植试验

6个引进的桃新品种在本地区试种,能够正常开花结果。于2012—2015年调查各品种的物候期、植物学特性、经济性状和抗逆性等内容进行比较。结果表明:6个桃品种在当地科学管理条件下,表现好的品种有新川中岛和艳红桃等2个品种,其树势表现为较强和强,萌芽率为55.82%和55.81%,成枝率为28.39%和23.26%,叶片大小为17.1 cm×4.2 cm和19.5 cm×5.0 cm,花的大小为4.8 cm×4.7 cm和4.8 cm×4.9 cm,座果率为43.19%和26.66%,成熟期为7月中下旬和7月下旬—8月上旬,平均单果质量为195.5 g和216.9 g,含糖量为13.5%和15.8%,单株产量为41.3 kg和43.1 kg,果实可食率为94.35%和93.81%,都表现为适应性强。从综合比较结果看,新川中岛品种表现最好,其次是艳红桃品种,由此建议在当地自然资源条件下加上配套的栽培技术措施,新川中岛和艳红桃2个品种可在本地区适量发展。     

外来植物豚草入侵对土壤碳氮转化的影响

选取撂荒田地为试验样地,以入侵植物豚草（Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.）为对象,以土著优势物种窃衣（Torilis scabra Thunb.）为参照,通过对入侵植物和土著植物根际土壤的采样分析,研究了入侵植物对入侵地土壤特性及土壤碳氮转化的影响。结果表明,与土著物种窃衣相比,豚草入侵使土壤有机质含量增加89.13%,全氮含量增加42.15%,铵态氮含量增加43.69%,硝态氮含量增加35.36%,微生物量碳增加52.08%,微生物量氮增加61.26%,氮净矿化速率增加1.41倍,氮净氨化速率增加206倍,但硝化速率和反硝化速率变化不明显。由此可见,豚草显著改变了入侵地土壤的理化特性,加速了土壤碳氮转化过程。